Asymmetric Preparation of New N,N-Dialkyl-2-amino-1,1,2-triphenylethanol Catalysts and a Kinetic Resolution in the Addition of Diethylzinc to Flavene-3-carbaldehydes

Enantiopure N , N -dialkyl-( S )-2-amino-1,1,2-triphenyl­ethanols were prepared using a new synthetic methodology and tested for their ability to catalyze the enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes. The structural modification of N-substituents of the catalysts led us to identify N -methyl- N -( S )-1-phenyl­ethyl-substituted 4d as an effective catalyst for the addition. Also disclosed is a kinetic resolution of racemic flavene-3-carbaldehydes with the chiral catalyst.